Zoo In India

Introduction  

Kanan Pendary Zoological Garden is located 9kms from Bilaspur the second largest city in Chhattisgarh state. The garden is spread over 114 hectares of plain open land covered with dry deciduous mixed forest. It is one of the most well maintained zoological parks in the state.
The Zoological Garden was developed with an aim to provide welfare and growth of wild animals of the area and also to protect and conserve the endangered species of the area.

Visitors to the park are made aware of the environment and how they can live in harmony with nature. The zoo also does breeding of animals in captivity, looks after injured animals and releases animals to their original wild locations.

As the park is located only about 45 Km. from Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, effort is made to represent the flora and fauna of the area in the park

History

Kanan Pendary Zoological Garden began as a nursery of the forest department in 1975. Then it was used as a wild animal rescue center for lost, captured or injured deer, bear and other animals from the nearby forests. After that the place was developed as breeding centre for Cheetal or spotted deer. The zoo was created only in 1997 as a small zoo along with the facility of a rescue centre and was managed by the forest division of Bilaspur. The Central Zoo Authority of India granted recognition of a mini zoo to Kanan Pendari Zoological Gardens for the period of 2002 to 2008 and in 2008 as a small zoo.

Timings & Tariff

The zoo is open from 9 AM TO 6 PM on all days except Mondays
Entry tickets are Rs. 10 for adults and Rs. 5 for children

Best Time to Visit

The climate of Bilaspur is pleasant and mild in winter and medium rainfall in the short monsoons. The summers are long (March to June and September- October), very hot and dry.

Map

Location

Kanan Pendary Zoological Garden
Mungeli Road, Bilaspur H O, Bilaspur-Chhattisgarh - 495001

How to Reach

Bilaspur is connected by extensive national and state highways with major cities and towns in the state and the country. Private and public road transport is available.

Bilaspur falls on the Mumbai-Kolkata line and is a major railway station connecting to all major cities. Although there is an airport in Bilaspur it is not operational. The nearest airport is Raipur which is 113 kms away. Local buses, taxis are available

Wildlife

The zoological gardens are covered with trees, grasses and foliage that is similar to the surrounding forest areas. There are 100 different species of trees and other flora.The presence of abundant trees has created a cooler microclimate within the premises. There is plenty of ground water because of the River Arapa in the vicinity and the soil supports growth of mixed forest.

There is a wide variety of animals, reptiles, birds and amphibians in the park. There are around 150 mammals belonging to 23 species, 45 reptiles of 8 species, 10 amphibians of 3 different species and 124 birds of about 15 species. Plans are on for getting many more of these animals from other zoos from the state and the country.

As the Zoo is an embodiment of nature and provides natural environment to the animals to live and the visitors to explore and observe the animals in their natural habitat, it makes them aware of the symbiotic relationship which must be maintained.

Visitor Information

The amenities for visitors include a tourist hut, an education center, drinking water coolers in various places, benches, toilets, safari car and a children’s play area.  At the zoo gate there is a First aid box. A veterinary hospital is also located in the premises. A canteen is available outside the gate. 

The place is beautified with three lawns and landscaped gardens. The children’s toy train, slide and other play items are in the children’s corner.

Activities

Veterinary College Chhattishgarh and post graduate students of Guru Ghasi Das University Bilaspur undertake studies on various aspects of wildlife and their behavior.

Education and Awareness Programs

There are presentations, quiz programs for visitors. Signboards and brochures give information about habits and habitat of animals. Visitors can interact with Zoo staff at various places in the garden.  Visitors can take part in Wild life Week camp. Regular training and awareness camps are organized for community education.